between 10 and 20+ percent of FOX’s weekly schedule is American Idol 3.

between 10 and 20+ percent of FOX’s weekly schedule is American Idol 3. The 41 or so hours of American Idol that FOX is running this spring consumes 10 percent of the network’s schedule on normal weeks, and more than 20 percent during weeks with special episodes. Among lusted-after viewers 18 to 49, “Fox is just one-tenth of a rating point behind the perennial leader among younger viewers, NBC,” the New York Times reports. The show also made FOX about $100 million last season. A FOX exec said they’re not guilty of overkill: “We are doing about the same number of hours of the show as last season. And we’re not doing ‘Average Joe Idol’ or ‘For Love of Idol’ as certain other networks executives I know would have done. This show is a precious gem we feel can be a player for us for years to come.”

about Andy Dehnart

Andy Dehnart’s writing and criticism about television, culture, and media has appeared on NPR and in The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Pacific Standard, and other publications. He has covered reality television for more than 18 years, and created reality blurred in 2000.

A member of the Television Critics Association, Andy, 40, directs the journalism program at Stetson University in Florida, where he teaches creative nonfiction and journalism. He has an M.F.A. in nonfiction writing and literature from Bennington College. More about reality blurred and Andy.

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about reality blurred

reality blurred is your guide to the world of reality TV and unscripted entertainment, with reality show reviews, news, and analysis. It was created in 2000 by Andy Dehnart. He's still writing and publishing it today.

reality blurred is regularly updated with highlights from the world of reality TV: news and analysis; behind-the-scenes reports; interviews with reality TV show cast members and producers; and recaps and reviews of these reality TV shows, including Survivor, Big Brother, The Great British Baking Show, Shark Tank, The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, Project Runway, Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef, and many more.